Broadcaster Laura Boyd has joined forces with a courageous Scottish mother to officially launch this year's Christmas carol concert in aid of Cancer Research UK. The festive fundraiser, headlined by sponsor ScottishPower, will take place within the historic grandeur of Glasgow Cathedral on Thursday, December 4.
A Celebration of Life and Hope
STV News entertainment reporter Laura Boyd was accompanied at the launch event by Megan Campbell from Alexandria, Dunbartonshire. Megan was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 33 years of age. The countdown to Christmas began in earnest as Megan and her four-year-old daughter Lily donned Santa hats and were presented with VIP tickets for the upcoming concert.
Every year in Scotland, approximately 34,800 people receive a cancer diagnosis. Projections indicate that by 2040, one person in the UK will be diagnosed every two minutes, a stark increase from the 1970s rate of one every four minutes. However, survival rates in the UK have doubled since the early 1970s, with Cancer Research UK's work central to this progress.
Funds raised from the concert will directly support scientists in their mission to discover new methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The ultimate goal is a future where everyone can live longer, better lives without the fear of cancer.
Personal Stories Driving the Mission
Laura Boyd, who will host the Glasgow Carol Concert, understands this mission intimately. She was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in September 2009 and continues to receive three-monthly check-ups. "I am living proof that the work scientists do and the funding supporters raise goes to help save lives," Laura stated. "The Glasgow carol concert is a wonderful opportunity to come together, to support each other and raise funds."
For Megan Campbell, this Christmas holds special significance. She and her husband Stephen, 36, plan to cherish every moment with Lily, with pantomime visits, breakfast with Santa, and even a reindeer encounter already planned. Megan was diagnosed on May 21, 2024, and later learned the cancer had spread. After 18 weeks of chemotherapy ending in October last year, her current treatment includes Herceptin, a drug developed with funding from Cancer Research UK.
Megan now receives a targeted Phesgo injection every three weeks and is closely monitored at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, with scans currently showing the cancer is stable. "I'm not letting cancer rule my life," Megan affirmed. "We're making memories that last a lifetime... I want to keep on feeling well and to be there for Lily and Stephen."
A Festive Night of Music and Support
The concert itself promises a memorable evening. Attended by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Dr Jacqueline McLaren, it will commence with a ScottishPower piper welcoming guests into the cathedral. The line-up features:
- Music star Nathan Evans and the Saint Phnx band.
- Opera talents Gordon Wilson and Judith Howarth.
- The Zigzag community choir and the choir from the High School of Glasgow.
ScottishPower, the headline sponsor, has raised over £40 million for Cancer Research UK since their partnership began in 2012. Andrew Ward, CEO of Customer Business at ScottishPower, commented: "We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved... We're determined we're not stopping now."
Last year, Cancer Research UK invested more than £38 million in Scotland, supporting leading scientific and clinical research. Glasgow is home to the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, where work spans the entire spectrum of cancer research. The volunteer-organised Glasgow Christmas Carol Concert has raised over £400,000 for the charity since it began in 1999.
The event takes place on Thursday, December 4 at 6.30pm. Adult tickets are priced at £45 and child tickets at £20, available now.
